More couples are choosing to hold their wedding ceremonies and receptions at the same location, whether for convenience, freedom of choice, or the good feelings inspired by a favorite setting. When a bride and groom forego the traditional church setting, new entertainment possibilities are available to them. For this reason, it's not uncommon to find DJs spinning music for the wedding ceremony, as well as during the reception.

When Do I Need Ceremony Music? What Shall I Play?

As guests are seated. To set the mood, music should already be playing when the first guest arrives and as guests are seated. The music choice is entirely yours, but most couples prefer a romantic mood and select a style that suits them -- smooth jazz, wispy piano notes from Windham Hill artists, or chamber music provided by string or woodwind ensembles.

While parents are seated (sometimes). Parents of the bride and groom are last to be seated by the ushers and, occasionally, the parents or bride and groom will request a special song. Keep it short, so your bridal party isn't kept waiting.

When the Bridal Party enters. It's customary for special music to be playing as bridal party couples approach the ceremony area, and there are a couple of ways they can enter the room:

1) The groomsmen appear from the side aisles, make their way to the front, and

wait for the bridesmaids walking down the center aisle.

2) The groomsmen and bridesmaids walk down the center aisle together, as

couples.

Popular music to play during the bridal party's entrance includes the soothing strings of Pachelbel's Canon in D, (used as the theme music to the PBS television series ?Cosmos?); ?The Trumpet Voluntary,? a dramatic organ piece with Baroque flourishes, (scored by Classical Wedding Traditions); or Contemporary Artist Enya's ethereal New Age hit, ?Only Time.? Also in demand are ?Ode to Joy,? (from Beethoven's 9th Symphony, Classical Wedding Traditions), and ?Air,? an arrangement for trumpet and strings from Handel's Water Music Suite.

As the music nears its final strains, The Maid / Matron of Honor and Best Man are the last couple to enter, followed by the Ring Bearer, Flower Girl and, finally, the Bride.

For the Bride's walk to the altar. The bride may enter the room on her father's, step-father's or brother's arm; or between her mother and father, (a common sight); or even on the arm of her groom. A special song should lead her down the aisle. Whichever song she selects, it's bound to be too long! A DJ can work with her, editing her favorite song to fit the length of the processional, which might be ?Here Comes the Bride,? or Ave Maria or Prelude in C, or any of the bridal party music selections. As the bride arrives to the "alter", the music softly fades.

During the candle lighting ceremony. The ceremony is short, and the music will be, too. Brides should expect to hear no more than 45 seconds of their favorite song for this wedding rite. Choose background music or select a meaningful excerpt from your song.

At other special ceremony moments. It might be a live singer, for example. You decide what these moments are. Remember to tell your other entertainment providers about these special guests.

After the ceremony, as everyone departs. Let your personality shine for the recessional! You and your groom are glowing and the bridal party is relieved. Play some energetic traditional music or rousing contemporary tunes. If your ceremony is elegant, appropriate choices might include the ?Bridal Recessional? or ?At Last? by Etta James and ?What A Wonderful World? by Louis Armstrong.

Light-hearted music includes ?Here Comes the Sun? by the Beatles or ?You're My Best Friend? by Queen. Contemporary selections could include ?From This Moment? by Shania Twain, ?When You Say Nothing At All? by Allison Kraus or ?Circle of Life? by Elton John. It's not uncommon to play something heavier, too, so make this music yours.

Remember that the bridal party is right behind the bride and groom, and your guests will closely follow. They're ready to stretch and talk. One or two more songs and they're good to go!

About the Author

Mike Staff is the owner of Mike Staff Productions (www.mikestaff.com), an award winning Wedding DJ, Entertainment and Videography Company located in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan. Mike is also a well known Detroit radio personality, having spent over 14 years on-the-air at one of Detroit's most popular music stations, 101-FM WRIF.

Copyright: 2007